Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have suffered a major blow ahead of the start of the 2023 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as New Zealand all-rounder Kyle Jamieson has been ruled out for the entire season. Jamieson, who will miss the 16th IPL season due to injury, was bought by the franchise for Rs 1 crore. CSK announced South African pacer Sisanda Magala as the replacement.

Jamieson, who last played in New Zealand’s Test series in England in June last year, suffered a back injury after being selected for the two-match Test series at home against England. He is now set to undergo a surgery, which could sideline him for at least 4 months.

Jamieson had previously only appeared in one IPL season before Royal Challengers Bangalore bought him for Rs 15 crore in 2021, making him one of the biggest overseas buys at the auction. In nine appearances, he scored just 65 runs at 16.25 and took nine wickets at an economy rate of 9.60.

He later opted out of the 2022 mega IPL auction to stay at home, away from “managed isolation and quarantine”. He later said: “I didn’t really feel like I was where I wanted to be and if I want to compete for a spot in the New Zealand side moving forward in all three formats, I’ve really got to work on my game.” Need to spend time working and not just trying to play full time. For me it was just time to stay home and work on my game.”

In place of Jamieson, Magala has experience of playing in the shortest format of the game. He has appeared in just four T20Is for South Africa, but has a reputation as a regular wicket-taker in domestic T20 matches over the years. In the recently concluded SA20 season, he took 14 wickets in 11 innings for Sunrisers Eastern Cape at an economy rate of 8.68. He will join CSK at his base price of Rs 50 lakh.